Chris Connor reviews the first two episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte…
While we have had four years of Disney+ series within the Star Wars universe, they have until now taken place within familiar timeframes bridging the gap largely between Episodes III & IV and VI & VII, of course introducing us to new characters and worlds but still tied to the Skywalker Saga in some shape or form. The latest series in the franchise, the much anticipated The Acolyte, takes us to 100 years before The Phantom Menace into uncharted territory in live-action, The High Republic, an era explored within books to this point.
The galaxy has been at peace for a long time with Jedi scattered across numerous planets in their roles as guardians of peace and ignorant of any threats posed to their order which will come to a head in the Prequel films. We are immediately thrust into action with Carrie-Anne Moss’ Master Indara, fighting a mysterious assailant with a link to her past. What is most noticeable about this exchange is the choreography which chooses not to rely on lightsabers but more martial arts style moves that are reminiscent of The Matrix (coincidentally) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, offering a fresh perspective on the Jedi and their fighting style.
Showrunner Leslye Headland, co-creator of Netflix’s smash hit Russian Doll brings more of a genre flavour to this show than we have seen in previous shows. There is much more of a mystery and procedural feel to it as the Jedi investigate a mysterious presence targeting Jedi masters. Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae, Master Sol and his students Yord (Charlie Barnett) and Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) tasked with investigating the conspiracy.
The performances are compelling with our trio of central Jedi offering a fresh dynamic, Sol’s stoicism feeling familiar while Jecki and Yord offer a more youthful perspective on how to tackle the problem’s they encounter. Amandla Stenberg is an integral part of proceedings as Osha, a former Jedi student herself cast out of the order, how does she factor into the plot against the order and is there more to her than meets the eye? She shares an interesting relationship with Sol and it will be intriguing to follow how this develops over the course of the eight episodes.
In the opening two episodes, the scope of the show is set out as we travel to a plethora of new worlds, in an entirely new era, there are hints at existing elements like the huts and Trade Federation but it is refreshing for a show in the franchise to feel so self-contained and not reliant on fan service. The new worlds all feel distinct with a medieval quality to some, with several feeling like they came straight from Ralph McQuarrie and George Lucas.
There are nods to other parts of the franchise with several ship and droid in particular feeling reminiscent of the Jedi Fallen Order series of games, a welcome addition to the show. Frequent Jordan Peele collaborator Michael Abels offers a fresh score for this new corner of the universe, again different to what’s come before, as with other Disney+ scores he has put a fresh stamp on this era.
The opening two episodes raise plenty of questions but offer reassurance to fans that they are in safe hands as we move into uncharted territory. The Jedi here are more ignorant than those we have seen before as we are seemingly headed for an escalating conflict. The new characters and worlds are welcome additions to the franchise, feeling fresh. Fans will hope this is a sign of things to come and if the series can maintain this level of intrigue, suspense and action, it will rank among the best Disney+ entries in the franchise.
Chris Connor
